I know that Johan probably won't take any of this under consideration but I felt that I couldn't just leave his charges of Lutheranism unanswered. I wrestled with whether or not to post this because my intent is not to start a debate about differences in doctrine but to shed some light on the way Lutherans understand and approach the scriptures and salvation.
Martin Luther was a heretic, a hypocrite and an idolater.
Anyone standing for and behind Martin Luther is a fool and a child of the devil.
What Lutheranism actually is is a decades long research project in order to determine what the bible actually teaches. It started in 1517 by Martin Luther from the University in Whittenburg and ended in 1580 by Martin Chemiz et. all. when the findings, doctrinal statements, and other writings were compiled and published in the Book of Concord.
The Roman Catholic Church deemed Martin Luther a heretic for starting this research as well as for his writings and the RCC claimed that if you believe in salvation through faith in Christ alone you were not following the teachings of Christ (Christian) you were following the teaching of Luther (Lutheran). Unfortunately this name stuck and for some reason a lot of people outside of Lutheranism think that Lutherans look to Martin Luther as some prophet or saint. Not everything Martin Luther wrote or said is considered good or even scripturally accurate.
We believe what his research project produced, the Book of Concord, is the right way to view scripture. It has nothing to do with the man that started it. You are welcome to call Martin Luther all sorts of stuff along with those that believe the Book of Concord accurately describes the teaching of scripture. Both Luther and we have been called far worse by far more influential and powerful figures.
One note is that Lutherans hold to the teaching that the scriptures are from God and without error and so scripture is the ultimate authority. If the scripture and the Book of Concord are in conflict the scriptures win hands down and that part of the Book of Concord should be ripped out and burned.
Lutherans do not love THE LORD and neither their neighbour and nor their enemies.
Lutherans hate THE LORD. Lutherans hate consistency with the scripture.
According to Lutherans they are sinners. Sinners are sinful.
Sinners are not loving THE LORD.
Lutherans believe we are all sinners from birth:
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" (Romans 5:12)
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalms 51:5)
"Man's heart is evil from his youth." (Gen. 8:21)
That the natural state of humanity after the fall is sin and darkness and we are unable to go to God therefor God comes to us:
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—" (Ephesians 2:4-5)
"I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." (John 12:46-47)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (John 3:16-17)
Christ has done this for everyone because none have kept God's law perfectly, and Christ's redemptive work is a gift offered to all apart from good works:
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifies of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." (Romans 3:21-28)
Christ came not for those that believe they are righteous but for those that recognize they are sinners and in need of God's savior Jesus Christ:
"And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Mark 2:16-17)
Do Lutherans believe we are sinners?
Yes.
Do Lutherans love God and their neighbor as perfectly as God's law demands?
No. Though we try we fall short.
Any Lutheran pastor worth his salt will every Sunday show his congregation that they are all sinners and in need of God's salvation. Then point to God's son Jesus Christ as our atoning sacrifice and salvation which has been given to all as a free gift from God. And this is not because we earned or even deserved to be saved but because God is merciful and gracious.
Anyone telling you that you can not save yourself is a liar and the truth is not in him.
Lutherans look to Christ for our salvation not to ourselves:
"But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds." (Isa 53:5)
"Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men."(Romans 5:18)
Sadly may Lutheran churches have been led away from scripture and teach very worldly things. Through my experience there is probably 25% of Lutheranism that still follows scriptures accurately.
Again I don't want this to start any debate or infighting about which doctrine is right or wrong, but this is to answer the charges posted above and shed some light on what the Lutheran perspective of the Bible and salvation actually is.
To the moderators: If this post is too divisive please remove it, or let me know and I can remove it.
